***Thanks again for all of your support and response to this story.

***I was actually surprised at how many of you were proud of Edward. I felt I owed him some redemption.

***Thanks to Jasper's Darlin' Kathy (for listening to all of the ideas I had for this chapter) and to TwiCarol (for encouraging me to just go for it!)

***Thanks VisionofConflict for helping me stay true!

JPOV

I took off running into the forest, the same forest where Cullen was probably taken through when they… I couldn't think about that now. I had to focus, but it was too hard. I needed to get a plan in place, and figure out what I was going to do to get my son back, but my gift was working against me. I could feel everyone's heart breaking over this. I felt their fear, anxiety and despair over the loss of Cullen. Each one of their emotions came crashing into me, hitting me hard and fast. I felt like I was drowning and I couldn't get to the surface because I was weighted with all of these feelings. I was losing control, and I knew I had to find a way to pull it together. Cullen was counting on me to bring him back.

I slowed my pace and realized that I had ended up in front of the castle. I walked through the doors and headed for Aro. It was so quiet in here, and it dawned on me that every available person was out looking for Cullen. I needed to be a part of that search. First, I would get an update and then I would join the search. When they found him, it should be me that he saw first.

I approached the conference room, but I didn't find Aro. Instead Claudia was curled up on the couch with her laptop. I could feel how frustrated she was.

"Jasper," she said, as she looked up at me. Her sorrow for me and my loss was overwhelming, but I also felt some guilt.

"Why do you feel guilty?" I asked.

"Damn that power of yours," she smiled. She got up, walked over to me and pulled me into a hug. "I'm so sorry."

I stayed in her arms probably a bit longer than I should have, but for the first time since Cullen was taken, I felt comforted. I knew that it wasn't my family's fault, because we were all distraught over what had happened, but it was nice to feel that someone wanted to help me. I pulled out of her embrace and smiled. "Thanks, that helps, but you didn't answer my question."

"My mother has your son, so of course I feel guilty."

"That's absurd," I reminded her. "You have nothing to do with Maria, and you're nothing like her. I promise you that."

"How could someone do something like that? What kind of a person takes a child from their family?"

"It's not out of character for her," I said, because I knew first hand exactly what she was capable of. "What are you doing?" I pointed to her computer.

"I didn't want to be helpless, so I started researching places where Maria would go while she was pregnant with me."

"That's documented?" I knew that was a stupid question, because the Volturi knew everything. I was sure that they had my whole relationship with Maria in those files.

"Yes, apparently they even archive everything on computer nowadays. Who has time to back up thousands of years worth of documentation? I guess that's because you vamps don't sleep and you need something to do to pass the time." She smiled and I felt a wave of lust.

"I guess I know what you and Edward do to pass the time." I rolled my eyes.

"I'm sure it's the same thing you and Bella do, cowboy," she winked.

"Continue, please." I motioned to the computer.

"Maria had several places that she liked to go and get away from here, many in walking distance, so I'm putting together a list for Felix. It's probably a long shot, but I need to do something to help you." I felt her sincerity.

I took her hand and pressed it to my lips, "I appreciate that."

"She's still in Italy, Jasper," she said. "You can't just leave here without them knowing."

"I know we'll find her," I said. "I'll get Cullen back. She knows that she doesn't stand a chance against the Volturi. She's just playing with me."

"How are you handling this so well?"

I laughed at her comment. If she only knew how close to the edge I was. "I look better than I feel."

"It's okay to lose it, Jasper," she said. "No one else is here; you can let it out if it will help."

I shook my head. "I have to keep it together, Claudia," I said. "I've already said some things that I can't take back."

"Bella?"

"Yes," I looked down at my feet, and immediately felt ashamed over blaming her for what happened with Cullen.

"You've both suffered an incredible shock," she said. "You're both going to say and do things that you don't mean."

"Yes, but it isn't right, and I should have been able to control it better."

"Fuck that, Jasper. Some psycho bitch has taken your only child and plans to raise him for evil. I think that you are entitled to say and do whatever you want." I felt her anger begin to settle in. "And, since I haven't heard from Edward in a few hours, I can only guess where he is. That's why you're here, and not with Bella."

"I think I've said it before, you're awfully perceptive."

"Yes, well, it wasn't hard to figure out. Edward is drawn to her and I've accepted it."

"Well, it's not always that easy, is it?" I remembered how Bella said that she would never forgive me if I left. That hurt, but I knew she was only reacting to what I said to her first. How did I make such a big mess in so little time? Maria, that's how, and when I got my hands on her she would pay dearly for putting Cullen through this. I could handle what she could do to me, but taking Cullen was something that was going to cost her, and she would pay the ultimate price for that mistake. My anger started spewing out of my body and I couldn't seem to contain it. I was angry that Maria had Cullen, I was mad that Bella left him in the yard, I was furious that Carlisle let her come to Italy, but most of all I was enraged that I couldn't protect my son. I provoked Maria this morning and that's what caused her to take him from me. She was making me suffer for defying her. I was now paying for walking away from her all of those years ago. Cullen would not be living the life I left behind.

"Jasper?" I heard Claudia say, but it was as if she was off in the distance. "Feel better?"

I focused on her, but I didn't understand at first. She slowly approached me, and I could feel a bit of fear coming from her. I looked around the conference room and saw that several chairs had been thrown around and broken into pieces, the table was flipped over and lamps and other various glass objects were shattered. I ran my hands through my hair. "I did this?"

"Yes," she whispered. "You were talking to me one second, and the next your eyes were so black, and you started smashing and throwing things." She came a bit closer to me, but she was still hesitant and afraid.

I extended my now trembling hand to her, "I won't hurt you."

She took my hand in hers and gently squeezed it and gave me a small smile.

"I don't know what happened," I admitted. "I lost it and I…" I was overwhelmed with emotions; whatever I just did seemed to release everything that I had been holding in. I dropped to my knees, bringing Claudia with me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me to her. I craved that comfort, the touch, but I knew that it was Bella's arms that I should have been seeking. I sunk deeper into Claudia's chest, and let myself be consumed by her. "I have to fix this," I said. "I have to get him back."

"I know you can do it, Jasper." I felt her confidence in me.

"He's not meant to live Maria's life," I whispered. "I can't exist knowing that he'll suffer the way I did. He'll feel every raw emotion coming from those newborns, and their pain and suffering will haunt him throughout eternity. He'll never stop feeling the horror and fear that he inflicted on his victims. Every time he injects his venom into someone's veins, he'll feel it, Claudia," I gripped her tighter. "He'll feel what he is doing to them."

Claudia pulled away from me and stared into my eyes, "You live with this every day?" she asked, and I felt her shock.

I closed my eyes and whispered, "Every day."

I felt her warm hand brush my cheek, and I could feel how sorry she felt for me. "How did you become so civilized after that?"

"Am I really civilized?" I didn't feel that way right now, and I knew Maria was going to bring out the worst in me. I felt extremely unstable at the moment, and I knew the destruction I had caused in this conference room was only the beginning. "Alice," I said in response to her question. "Alice came into my life for a reason. She brought me to the Cullen's and they showed me a better way to exist. It took me years to adjust to that lifestyle, and I struggled for so long, but that all changed when…"

"When what?" she asked.

"I tried to attack Bella and then Alice left me to find my destiny. It took me a few years, but fate brought me to Bella, and I know where I belong."

"You are an amazing man, Jasper Whitlock and you should never forget that. Bella and Cullen are lucky to have you, and I know you'll get your family back. The Volturi can finally prove that they are worth something around here."

I stroked her cheek, "Thank you Claudia," I said. "You've helped me more than you realize."

She gently pressed her lips to mine and softly kissed me. I arched a brow at her. "Am I losing my touch? No lust coming from you, at all."

She laughed. "I only have lust for one vampire these days."

"Well, I appreciate the love and caring emotions that I'm getting from you."

"Just don't tell anyone," she said. "It'll ruin my reputation."

I stood up, pulling her with me. "Come on, I need to go home and apologize to my wife."

"Yeah," she said. "And I have to retrieve my vampire."

I looked around the wrecked conference room. "Should I try to clean this up?"

"No," she said. "They have a service for this sort of thing."

Of course they did.

I drove Claudia's car back to the villa. The ride gave me enough time to regain my composure and get my emotions in check.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yes," I said, as I opened her door and helped her out. I kept her hand in mine as we walked up to the house. "You really helped me tonight and I won't forget that."

"A few years ago, I needed a friend and you were there for me, and because of you I have Edward and the Cullen's, so we're even."

We walked into the house and found Edward and Bella sitting on the couch. Bella glanced down at mine and Claudia's joined hands. At first, I thought nothing of it, but then I realized how that action could be misconstrued. Claudia must have sensed Bella's discomfort because she quickly let go of my hand.

I smiled at Bella, trying to let her know that I was feeling better, but then I was hit with a dose of guilt and fear. I would have said that the fear was for Cullen, but it felt directed at me. She looked uncomfortable and quickly moved away from Edward, as she got up and stood in front of the window. Well, it seemed as though I wasn't the only one who needed to apologize for something.

"Any news?" I asked.

"Carlisle, Esme and Alice met up with Felix to search a bit. They picked up Cullen's scent, but it was a false lead. Maria planted his jacket in a cabin out in the woods."

"Of course she did," I said, almost to myself.

"When Emmett and Rose get back to go for a quick hunt," Edward said. "I thought that you and I could join the search. Felix thinks it would be best if a Cullen was always with one of the search teams, so that if, I mean, when they do find him, one of us will be there."

"That sounds like a good idea." I said.

"I want to come too," Bella said.

"Ah, Bella," Claudia said. "Maybe we could stay here, in case she decides to contact the house. I could keep you company."

"Like you kept my husband company?" Bella snapped back, and I felt her anger directed at Claudia. That was out of line and misplaced.

"Bella?" I said.

"No," Claudia said. "It's okay. I know Bella is upset."

"Don't make excuses for me." Bella said, and I started to wonder why she was directing her rage at Claudia. I knew she didn't think that I would ever betray her.

"Bella," Edward said. "You have no right to judge." Now that was strange, because I didn't think that I had ever felt Edward direct any form of anger at Bella until now.

What happened between the two of you while I was gone? I asked him with my thoughts. Before I could even think anything else I felt a wave of hesitation and anxiety wash over him, and more guilt from Bella. Please don't tell me that the two of you…

"God, no, Jasper," he said. "It wasn't like that."

Everything seemed to be happening all at once, and I wasn't even sure what triggered it.

"What wasn't like that?" Claudia asked.

"Edward?" Bella said, as she shook her head.

What doesn't she want me to know? If you took advantage of this situation, I'll kill you. Now all of our emotions were running out of control, and of course they were crashing right into me. I seemed to be getting the brunt of the anger and frustration. All the progress I made in that conference room was gone.

"Jasper," Edward said. "Don't jump to conclusions."

"Then tell him what he wants to know," Claudia said. "I'm curious now."

"Stop it!" Bella said. "Nothing happened and I don't want to talk about it."

"I don't care what you want," Claudia said. "I want to know what happened between you and Edward."

"Claudia," Edward said. "Nothing happened."

"You're lying," I said. "I can feel it."

"It didn't take you long, did it, Edward?" Claudia said and I felt her humiliation and hurt.

"No, Claudia, I didn't do anything." He looked at Bella, and I could feel him pleading with her. They were keeping something from the two of us.

I walked over to Edward. "Since my wife isn't going to share with me, why don't you, brother?" I knew they were hiding something now, and Edward was covering for Bella, but I couldn't tell if he was trying to protect her or Claudia. What had he done now?

I could feel Bella's stress and discomfort over the situation. "Jasper," she said, as she walked over and put her hand on my shoulder. "Can we talk in private?"

"Bella," Edward said. "I'll tell him."

He was protecting Bella. Tell me what?

"Bella was distraught when you left earlier, and both of you have experienced a terrible shock. That makes you say and do things that you don't mean, but you can't always take them back. You know, Jasper, that we don't always make the best decisions. We are irrational creatures."

"Oh, not this again. Are you going to stand here and tell me that the two of you lost control and you found your way into Bella's bed again?" If that were the case, I honestly knew I would kill them both.

"Are you kidding me?" Claudia said, as she headed for the door.

"No, wait! Bella and I kissed, that's it," he said, as he tried to go after Claudia.

"You kissed? That's it?" I didn't think about my actions, and even if I had, I still would have done the same thing. My fist connected with his jaw and I sent him crashing into the wall. His body hit it with such force that the whole villa shook.

Claudia gasped when she realized what I had done. She ran to Edward's side and crouched down. "Edward? How could you do this to me? You promised me that I meant more to you."

"Claudia," he said, as he rubbed his jaw. "I didn't betray you."

I looked at Bella who seemed to be horrified with me. I walked over to her and grabbed her arm, pulling her to the door. She whimpered out in pain. I was enraged and I had to stay focused to keep myself in check. "Do you still want to speak with me in private?"

Edward jumped up and put himself between us. "Take it out on me," he growled.

"No," Bella said and I felt her panic. "I kissed Edward and he stopped me." I released her arm as her words began to sink in.

Claudia walked over to Bella and yelled, "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"No, Claudia," Edward said. "She was upset. I'll explain it all later."

"No," Claudia said. "She'll explain it now." She put her finger in Bella's face, and for the first time since meeting Claudia, I saw the fierceness of her mother. "I'm tired of you making excuses for her." She looked at Edward and then back to Bella. "You have this incredible man who loves you and will give his life for you, and this is how you treat him?"

"What do you know about my husband?"

"More than you think," Claudia said. "And what gives you the right to string Edward along? You thought you lost Jasper, so you ran back to Edward? Do you not realize what you are doing to both of them?"

"Okay, maybe you two should stop this," Edward said. "We're all very emotional right now." He looked at me. "Maybe you could assist."

"No, don't you manipulate my emotions," Claudia screamed. "The two of you may be able to excuse her, but I can't. I told you before that I'm not playing this game, and I won't be a part of this." She motioned to the three of us. "You have to turn to your husband, and Edward, you have to let her. I understand that your child is missing and I'm sorry for that, but…"

Bella cut her off, "He's missing because your crazy mother took him! You could be in on it, for all we know."

"Bella," I snapped. "That's ridiculous."

"Come on, Claudia," Edward said. "This has gone far enough."

"You better watch out, Bella," Claudia said. "You've already managed to lose your son today, and if you're not careful, Jasper could be next."

Bella slapped Claudia with enough force that she smacked hard into Edward's chest. I instinctively pulled Bella back before she could attack Claudia, and Edward crouched down in a protective stance in front of Claudia.

"Edward," I said. "That's not necessary."

"Let go of me," Bella said, as she tried to pull out of my hold. I sent out a wave of calm and Edward immediately pulled out of his stance. "Bella, I'll let you go, but you can't go after Claudia."

"Bella," Edward said. "You're much stronger than she is, and you could hurt her." Claudia's cheek was already starting to swell where Bella had hit her.

Bella pulled against my hold," Screw you both." I knew she was hurt because we defended Claudia, but a half-breed was no match for a vampire. I knew Bella would never forgive herself if she hurt Claudia.

Carlisle walked in and immediately surveyed the situation. Emmett and Rosalie were with him. I could feel how stunned they were.

"Oh, shit," Emmett said. "Did I miss a cat fight?"

"Emmett?" Carlisle warned, as he turned back to us. "What is going on in here?"

"A misunderstanding," Edward said.

"Who got thrown into the wall?" Emmett asked, as he pointed to where I had sent Edward flying into it a few minutes ago. There was a huge crack right down the middle.

"Let go of me, Jasper!" Bella growled.

"Bella?" Carlisle was shocked that Bella would growl, even though she was a vampire, she rarely ever did it. She never really had reason to.

I calmed Bella down and released my hold on her. She glared at Claudia, and then pushed through Edward and headed out the door.

"I don't know what happened," Carlisle started to say, but then stopped when he noticed Claudia's face. I felt more shock and now disappointment coming from him. "Did Bella do that?" He pointed to her cheek.

Claudia nodded in response. "I'm fine."

Carlisle placed his hand on her face and pushed a bit.

"Ouch!" Claudia screamed.

"Carlisle?" Edward said.

"Sorry, Claudia," Carlisle said. "But, I need to make sure none of your facial bones were shattered."

"I'll kill her!" Claudia hissed.

Emmett snickered, but I failed to see the humor.

"Come on, Em," Rose said. "We'll go after Bella."

"No," Carlisle said. "Please go into the kitchen and get me some ice." Carlisle was in father mode now, I could feel it. "I assume this has something to do with the argument that you and Bella got into earlier, and now somehow Edward and Claudia are involved."

"Bella is in overdrive," Edward said. "Jasper, you know her emotions are all over the place."

"What about Jasper's emotions?" Claudia asked. "Aren't his a hundred times worse than everyone else's?" Edward gently placed his hand on her swollen face until Rose came back with the ice.

"Claudia, I over-reacted just as Bella did." I looked at Edward. "I'm sorry I hit you."

"It's fine," he replied. "I know why you did it. I almost jumped to the wrong conclusion when you walked in holding Claudia's hand and smelling of one another."

"Jasper," Carlisle said. "You go after your wife, and you fix this. I understand that the two of you have experienced a horrific trauma, but you have to work together. We seem to be running in circles and we are losing critical time. Demetri would like to talk to us, and I'd like for you and Bella to be here when he does it; preferably showing a united front. You can't blame her for something that was out of her control. If it makes you feel better then you blame me for bringing her to Italy."

I felt his remorse and guilt. I didn't know how many more emotions I could handle today.

"It's not your fault, Carlisle," I told him.

"Why is it Bella's?" he asked.

"I know," I said. "I came home to apologize, but things got out of hand. I'll make it right."

"Jasper," Edward said. "She didn't mean to kiss me."

"Bella kissed you?" Emmett yelled from the kitchen. "Ouch! That hurt, Rose."

Carlisle shook his head and I felt his disapproval with Edward.

"It wasn't his fault, Carlisle," I said. "He stopped her." I looked at Claudia. "I'm sorry that Bella hit you, and I won't make excuses for her, but I can feel what Edward feels, and I know he loves you."

I headed for the door and took off following Bella's scent. She didn't get very far, and by the time I found her, she was curled up in the fetal position on the ground. She was distraught and terrified. I could feel how scared she was for Cullen. I sat down next to her, pulled her head into my lap and began stroking her hair.

"This day just keeps getting better, doesn't it?" I sighed. We had both made so many mistakes.

"I didn't mean to hurt you," she said. "But, when you left I didn't know how to respond. When I kissed Edward…" she took a breath to center herself and I knew that I could assist her, but just hearing her say that she kissed Edward sent me over the edge. How could she do that after everything we had been through?

"What were you thinking?" I asked, almost to myself.

"I wasn't," she admitted. "I just did it and I know I was wrong, but you left and what you said before you left, well, you have never hurt me like that before."

"I've never had reason to hurt you before, Bella," I said. "I needed you to back off and you wouldn't. That phone call with Maria was all that I could take. I didn't want to hurt you, and that's why I was trying to leave."

"I wanted us to get through this together," she said.

"And we will, but what happened today was understandable. Our son…" I felt a horrible knot in my chest just thinking about him. "Cullen was taken by an evil woman who intends to use him to do awful things. We're not in the right frame of mine."

She sat up, but wouldn't look at me. "It's my fault that she has him."

"I didn't mean to say that earlier."

"Yes, you did and you were right. I knew from the second they took him that it was my fault. I should have protected your son."

"Our son, Bella," I didn't understand what she was thinking.

"Jasper, you've given me so much and I couldn't even be responsible enough to keep him safe." I felt her pain and it was excruciating. "What kind of mother am I?"

"Bella," I said, "I shouldn't have left the two of you alone. I should have made Emmett stay with you. I knew Maria could set a trap, and it was stupid of me to go off and leave you unprotected."

"You told me that you needed me to stay home and take care of Cullen. If I had done that, you probably would be on your way back to Seattle by now. I failed you, and I felt that in your words today. I know you are hurting too, but there was truth in what you said. I think that's why I kissed Edward. I thought that I had lost you, and I felt so responsible for losing Cullen that I…"

"Self destructed?"

"Yes, and it was stupid and mean. I hurt you and I put Edward in a horrible position, and now look what I've done to Claudia. How am I ever going to fix that?"

"She understands what you're going through," I said. "She'll forgive you."

"Will you?" She asked, as she bit her bottom lip.

"I know that you didn't kiss Edward because you wanted to be with him. I knew when I left your emotions were erratic and unstable. I don't like that you did it and it will take me a while to get over it, but I get that you did it out of need."

She started to sob uncontrollably. "Bella," I said as I pulled her into my arms. "I forgive you."

"I know you can forgive the kiss, but how will you ever be able to forgive me for losing Cullen?"

"I don't blame you for that, and I'm sorry that I said that you should have stayed in Seattle." I kissed the top of her head. "I was hurting and until we get him back, I'd imagine that we are going to say a few more things that we don't mean. But, you have to know that I would never doubt your ability as a mother. I know how much you love him, and I know that you would die for him. Do I think you made a mistake by coming to Italy? Yes, I do, but we all make mistakes. We have to stick together now."

"I love you," she said, and even through all of her pain I felt all of that love pushing through. "I'm sorry."

"I love you, too," I said as I pressed my lips to her. "I'll try not to hurt you anymore." I slowly brought my lips to hers and deepened the kiss, hitting her with waves of all of my love and affection for her.

"I need you Jasper," she said, as she twisted her hands in my hair. "I need you both."

"I'll bring him back home, Bella," I said, as I pulled her into my chest. "I swear to you, I will find him, and when I do, I'll make sure Maria never gets her hands on him again."

***See, I told you it's still a Jasper/Bella love story. Trust Me! I didn't come this far to screw it up! Take the ride with me!

***I love hearing from you and it motivates me to write faster. You all fuel my obsession! Thanks!